Mertens' Water Monitor Varanus mertensi

Mertens' Water Monitor (named after German herpetologist Robert Mertens) is found in and around swamps, lagoons and inland and coastal waterways of its native North Australia.

Monitor lizards have forked tongues like snakes to taste their environment.

It reaches about a metre in length and has adaptations for water life such as nostrils high on its head and a laterally-compressed tail (rudder).

Its population has suffered from the introduction of the Cane Toad, both in terms of competition for its prey and in direct poisoning from preying on the toads.